Looking at a few games and wondering wich one to get .
so here is my question how would you rank them and any of those title you really need to go with the premium other than pro ? or you would not consider pro at all .
Kiss,GoT ,TWD, GB,

Looking at a few games and wondering wich one to get .
so here is my question how would you rank them and any of those title you really need to go with the premium other than pro ? or you would not consider pro at all .
Kiss,GoT ,TWD, GB,
thx

I really like Kiss... great game with some great shots....of course if you hate the music, then its going to ruin it for you (kind of like Metallica music ruins it for me, yet its a great game). My vote would go to TWD....interesting layout, good rules, exciting gameplay, zombie theme. GoT takes #3 in the list as I only played a few games on an LE but really enjoyed what I saw. No judgement on GB since I am still waiting for my pro and Stern can't be bothered responding to my emails (f**ktards)

You buy Stern games from distributors, not the (f**ktards) themselves. What is emailing Stern gonna do?

Um, the distributors have no control on shipment....and Stern can at least respond to an email. Simple customer service concept.... have a page on your website to contact Stern.... after recieving the question, then showing the "we will respond to you within a day".... weeks later, nothing. After multiple emails, still nothing.

I don't care if its pinball, cable service, internet, car loan, credit card, whatever. If I have a simple question and I am the customer, take the time to respond.

And to keep the thread on point, TWD, Kiss, GoT, GB though I would go Premium on TWD if I could go back in time (not that the pro is bad)

Kiss gets a lot of flack but its a point and shoot game. Is it better than GB, TWD, or GoT? No. But it is better than some titles just made a few years ago. Yes Stern should have put some adjustment in on moving the head so you don't get the STDMs (I have my Kiss set on drool.)

Thinking about a game in my home that I would play often vs. something I'd only have the chance to play on occasion my rank is below. My rank for go play a couple games OP would be different. I won't discount the themes because I'll assume you take that into account based on your tastes.

*GOT Pro*
The good: Deep Rules in "advanced mode" would make this one better for home since it will take awhile to learn and master the order of things to get mega scores. Good sound. Also, not a ton of maintenance needed on the Pro. The last game on the list I would play on premise. Confusing to really understand what the houses mean or why they are important etc. However, the "BLACKWATER MULTIBALL" callout is very gratifying and not a difficult mode to start.

The bad: this ramp, that ramp, the other ramp, but somehow not a lot of flow still. Playfield art and design is lacking IMHO. Iron Throne toy on the Pro is so far out of my field of vision that it's a non-issue. Nothing visually special about this game.

GB Pro
Well-themed, fun art and a wide variety of shots for both flow and stop and go. A nice balance. Fun for the whole family. Rules aren't super complex, but enjoy to keep you interested as you have to progress up the ladder. Better DMD animations than GOT.

The bad: Can be a tough game; family and friends may not enjoy it as much with so many stdm and outlane drains.

*KISS Prem*
I think this game is a lot of fun and I do not enjoy KISS music. It's a fun game to play for a wide range of skills. If these games were all side by side on premise, I would play KISS more and first. A nice balance of easy easy shots and a couple tougher ones. If you like the theme, it's tough to beat. Nice job on the theme. People complain about SDTM with the head kickout, but I haven't experienced that once.

Also very good DMD animations.

The love gun floating ball is kinda funny, but not a 'must have'. Pro might be fine.

The bad: The rules aren't deep and could get kinda boring if it's the only game you get to play often. Gene Simmons' head on the playfield could potentially be tough to maintain.

*GOT Pro*
The good: Deep Rules in "advanced mode" would make this one better for home since it will take awhile to learn and master the order of things to get mega scores.

The GoT rules are not deep. They're about as shallow as an early 90's B/W game. Just pound through the houses and get to the wizard mode. It's super easy to do, unfortunately. The only strategy is picking a different house on start. But you quickly learn some are more fun than others and end up always picking the same one or two houses on start. That eliminates all the strategy. I consider the GoT code about as deep as star trek is there was only one level of modes and Kobiyashi was the final wizard mode. Im not saying there's no strategy in the game. There are interesting scoring opportunities. But it's definitely not deep at all.

My GoT arrived and I loved it. Unfortunately it went unplayed after the first couple months and has been sold. Monkey, who started the "got kicks ass" thread sold his for the same reason even before I sold mine. The reason is entirely code.

I don't have enough games on an LE/Premium to be fair. Played a decent amount on the pro on location. I love Steve R. and the theme, but feel he missed the mark on this one. I don't think code if changed (which they likely won't) would help it much further. The shots are just not that fun to shoot. The throne on premium/LE hides the upper lanes and the upper play field takes up too much real estate and can't see under after balls fall off back from upper flipper shots. Even an awesome home run hitter like Steve is entitled to a miss now and then.

The pro, btw, has more flow but also feels barron. I'd buy IM and MET Pro two times over before a GOT pro IMHO.

If code is important to you then walking dead is going to be the winner. Ghostbusters is obviously on early code. I havent played kiss since the new code dropped but I found it to have fun shots. I hope game of thrones code will continue to change. Walking dead has great code as well as do several titles you didn't list.

I have to say, whatever the list I would put KISS at the bottom. I've played it about a dozen times (of those, I forced myself to play it the last 10 times to see if I was missing something) and I'm just left with a "that's it?" feeling every time I play it. To me, this is a game Stern slapped a theme on knowing that it would sell to a certain crowd and put very little effort into actual gameplay.

BTW - can we please stop with the "old man bands" pins, Stern. I've tried to get my kids and their friends into pinball and themes like Rolling Stones, Metallica, Kiss just don't resonate. These aren't just their Dad's bands, they're their Grandpa's bands!

TWD - Both Pro or Premium are good options... Pro plays well but Premium gives it the full vibe and experience
GB
KISS
GOT Premium
GOT Pro - the main playfield doesn't have a lot going on, at least the Premium has a second playfield

They are all good games. I've enjoyed every one, but if forced to name my 3 favorite here is what I would choose. Of course I haven't played the GB Prem but I have put about 20 games on a Pro and really liked it.

ST, MET, and GB are the best. Those games are fun from the start and enough details to keep them fun many games after. Some games feel like a chore to learn rules and a long path to get where games are fun.

I have to say, whatever the list I would put KISS at the bottom. I've played it about a dozen times (of those, I forced myself to play it the last 10 times to see if I was missing something) and I'm just left with a "that's it?" feeling every time I play it. To me, this is a game Stern slapped a theme on knowing that it would sell to a certain crowd and put very little effort into actual gameplay.
BTW - can we please stop with the "old man bands" pins, Stern. I've tried to get my kids and their friends into pinball and themes like Rolling Stones, Metallica, Kiss just don't resonate. These aren't just their Dad's bands, they're their Grandpa's bands!

The problem is there are few relevant bands today that would make sales on theme alone. I think it would be cool if they used a rapper like Dre, Snoop or Eminem but I'm afraid what the art would look like. Any smaller band would have to sell on gameplay and code mostly. It would be almost like an original theme.

The problem is there are few relevant bands today that would make sales on theme alone. I think it would be cool if they used a rapper like Dre, Snoop or Eminem but I'm afraid what the art would look like. Any smaller band would have to sell on gameplay and code mostly. It would be almost like an original theme.

Your last line, to me, is the most important. An original theme would be welcome. But most folks won't go with an original idea because: 1. its too much work 2. want to insure a buyer group with a familiar theme 3. general lack of creativity overall.

For those of you who had a chance to go to VFW this weekend, just walk along the SS and early DMD pins. Alot of original concepts. When did creativity officially die in the U.S.?

The GoT rules are not deep. They're about as shallow as an early 90's B/W game. Just pound through the houses and get to the wizard mode. It's super easy to do, unfortunately. The only strategy is picking a different house on start. But you quickly learn some are more fun than others and end up always picking the same one or two houses on start. That eliminates all the strategy.

Relative to KISS and GB, it at least has that option for the rules. Maybe it's not Deep like TH or something, but of the three I've played, it seems the deepest.

lots of interesting point of views ( thanks to all of you )
I ´ m suprise that kiss is not liked . I was under the impression that the gameplay was great when i was reading the comments a few month ´s ago ( I know that they need to finish / update the codes ) played 2 -3 games and flow feeled good for my 1 st impression.
have not played the others but GB seems to get the vote for a good buy !
so I ´ ll see wich combo I ´ll go for .( too bad we cant get them all )
thanks again.

I never played much of the newer Stern games as they release, if at all. But the ones I did manage to play are Metallica (skating rink, now moved away, and at ReplayFX) and The Walking Dead.

Metallica was on WAY outdated code. I even tried to push for an update, but I never went through with it, and a broken flipper (among other factors with the operator) caused basically all the arcade games to be removed. However, I did play a Metallica at ReplayFX, complete with updated code, and it was GLORIOUS. There was much more to do compared to the one located near me. (1.03 score: 113,098,520)

I had played The Walking Dead yesterday for the first time. It seemed as if the game was fully up to date, and even though the sound was turned down, it was still a blast to play, and I got a high score on my first game.

Here's hoping I get to find and play on games like Star Trek, Ghostbusters, and Game of Thrones, among others. I hear they are such a blast to play.

Your last line, to me, is the most important. An original theme would be welcome. But most folks won't go with an original idea because: 1. its too much work 2. want to insure a buyer group with a familiar theme 3. general lack of creativity overall.
For those of you who had a chance to go to VFW this weekend, just walk along the SS and early DMD pins. Alot of original concepts. When did creativity officially die in the U.S.?

Sometimes I wonder if it would be more work. Some designers talk about how hard it is to work on certain licenses and they would avoid that with an original license. Also I really love parody and a lot of the older original pins would use parody to get around a license. Deadly Weapon and No Good Gofers come to mind.

lots of interesting point of views ( thanks to all of you )
I ´ m suprise that kiss is not liked . I was under the impression that the gameplay was great when i was reading the comments a few month ´s ago ( I know that they need to finish / update the codes ) played 2 -3 games and flow feeled good for my 1 st impression.
have not played the others but GB seems to get the vote for a good buy !
so I ´ ll see wich combo I ´ll go for .( too bad we cant get them all )
thanks again.

Always be wary of reviews of games when they are new. They are usually skewed by people thinking they are great (because they are new and fresh) or they are terrible (because the code isn't up to scratch).

I tend to wait until a game has been out for a few months before paying heed to what people think of it.

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